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came to the Parliament…door； and there； after a little waiting till the Committee was sat； we were； the House being very full； called in： （Sir W。 Pen went in and sat as a Member： and my Lord Brouncker would not at first go in； expecting to have a chair set for him； and his brother had bid him not go in till he was called for； but； after a few words； I had occasion to mention him； and so he was called in； but without any more chair or respect paid him than myself：） and so Brouncker； and T。 Hater； and I were there to answer： and I had a chair brought me to lean my books upon； and so did give them such an account； in a series of the whole business that had passed the office touching the matter； and so answered all questions given me about it； that I did not perceive but they were fully satisfied with me and the business as to our office： and then Commissioner Pett （who was by at all my discourse； and this held till within an hour after candle…light； for I had candles brought in to read my papers by） was to answer for himself； we having lodged all matters with him for execution。 But； Lord！ what a tumultuous thing this Committee is； for all the reputation they have of a great council； is a strange consideration； there being as impertinent questions； and as disorderly proposed； as any man could make。 But Commissioner Pett of all men living did make the weakest defence of himself： nothing to the purpose； nor to satisfaction； nor certain； but sometimes one thing and sometimes another； sometimes for himself and sometimes against him； and h；s greatest failure was （that I observed） from his considering whether the question propounded was his part to answer or no； and the thing to be done was his work to do： the want of which distinction will overthrow him； for he concerns himself in giving an account of the disposal of the boats； which he had no reason at all to do； or take any blame upon him for them。 He charged the not carrying up of 〃The Charles〃 upon the Tuesday to the Duke of Albemarle； but I see the House is mighty favourable to the Duke of Albemarle； and would give little weight to it。 And something of want of armes he spoke； which Sir J。 Duncomb answered with great imperiousness and earnestness； but； for all that； I do see the House is resolved to be better satisfied in the business of the unreadiness of Sheernesse； and want of armes and ammunition there and every where； and all their officers were here to…day attending； but only one called in； about armes for boats to answer Commissioner Pett。 None of my brethren said anything but me there： but only two or three silly words my Lord Brouncker gave in answer to one question about the number of men that were in the King's Yard at the time。 At last the House dismissed us； and shortly after did adjourn the debate till Friday next： and my cosen Pepys did come out and joy me in my acquitting myself so well； and so did several others； and my fellow officers all very briske to see themselves so well acquitted； which makes me a little proud； but yet not secure but we may yet meet with a back…blow which we see not。
23rd。 To White Hall； there to attend the Duke of York； but came a little too late； and so missed it： only spoke with him； and heard him correct my Lord Barkeley who fell foul on Sir Edward Spragg； （who； it seems； said yesterday to the House； that if the officers of the Ordnance had done as much work at Sheernesse in ten weeks as 〃The Prince〃 did in ten days； he could have defended the place against the Dutch）： but the Duke of York told him that every body must have liberty at this time to make their own defence； though it be to the charging of the fault upon any other； so it be true； so I perceive the whole world is at work in blaming one another。 Thence Sir W。 Pen and I back into London； and there saw the King； with his kettle…drums and trumpets； going to the Exchange to lay the first stone of the first pillar of the new building of the Exchange； which； the gates being shut； I could not get in to see； so with Sir W。 Pen to Captain Cocke's； and then again toward Westminster； but in my way stopped at the Exchange and got in； the King being newly gone； and there find the bottom of the first pillar laid。 And here was a shed set up； and hung with tapestry； and a canopy of state； and some good victuals and wine； for the King； who； it seems； did it； ＇i。e。； Laid the stone。＇ and so a great many people； as Tom Killigrew and others of the Court； there。 I do find Mr。 Gauden in his gowne as Sheriffe； and understand that the King hath this morning knighted him upon the place （which I am mightily pleased with）； and I think the other Sheriffe； who is Davis； ＇He became afterwards Lord Mayor。＇ the little fellow； my school…fellow the bookseller； who was one of Audley's executors； and now become Sheriffe； which is a strange turn； methinks。 To Westminster Hall； where I came just as the House rose； and there in the Hall met with Sir W。 Coventry； who is in pain to defend himself in the business of tickets； it being said that the paying of the ships at Chatham by ticket was by his direction。 He says the House was well satisfied with my Report yesterday； and so several others told me in the Hall that my Report was very good and satisfactory； and that I have got advantage by it in the House： I pray God it may prove so！ To the King's playhouse； and saw 〃The Black Prince；〃 which is now mightily bettered by that long letter being printed； and so delivered to every body at their going in； and some short reference made to it in the play。 But here to my great satisfaction I did see my Lord Hinchingbroke and his mistress （with her father and mother）； and I am mightily pleased with the young lady； being handsome enough； and indeed to my great liking； as I would have her。 This day it was moved in the House that a day might be appointed to bring in an impeachment against the Chancellor； but it was decried as being irregular； but that if there was ground for complaint； it might be brought to the Committee for miscarriages； and； if they thought good； to present it to the House； and so it was carried。 They did also vote this day thanks to be given to the Prince and Duke of Albemarle； for their care and conduct in the last year's war； which is a strange act： but； I know not how； the blockhead Albemarle hath strange luck to be loved； though he be （and every man must know it） the heaviest man in the world； but stout and honest to his country。 This evening late； Mr。 Moore come to me to prepare matters for my Lord Sandwich's defence； wherein I can little assist； but will do all I can； and am in great fear of nothing but the damned business of the prizes； but I fear my Lord will receive a cursed deal of trouble by it。
25th。 Up； and to make our answer ready for the Parliament this afternoon； to show how Commissioner Pett was singly concerned in the execution of all orders at Chatham； and that we did properly lodge all orders with him。 Thence with Sir W。 Pen to the Parliament Committee； and there I had no more matters asked me。 The Commissioners of the Ordnance； being examined with all severity and hardly used； did go away with mighty blame； and I am told by every body that it is likely to stick mighty hard upon them： at which every body is glad； because of Duncomb's pride； and their expecting to have the thanks of the House； whereas they have deserved； as the Parliament apprehends； as bad as bad can be。 Here is great talk of an impeachment brought in against my Lord Mordaunt； and that another will be brought in against my Lord Chancellor in a few days。 Here I understand for certain that they have ordered that my Lord Arlington's letters； and Secretary Morrice's letters of intelligence； be consulted about the business of the Dutch fleet's coming abroad； and I do hear how Birch is the man that do examine and trouble every body with his questions。
26th。 Mrs。 Pierce tells me that the two Marshalls at the King's house are Stephen Marshall's the great Presbyterian's daughters： and that Nelly and Beck Marshall falling out the other day； the latter called the other my Lord Buckhurst's mistress。 Nell answered her； 〃I was but one man's mistress； though I was brought up in a brothel to fill strong w